Cross-member assembly

Abstract

A cross support assembly is provided which is useful, for example, in earthworking equipment. Such an assembly can be mounted to extend between two lateral supports. A bracket extends laterally from the assembly and can serve as a supportive pivot for a bucket or the like. The assembly is generally hollow and acts as a torsion member. A bulkhead is welded in the cross support assembly and is positioned to directly receive forces exerted on the bracket. Usually the bracket and bulkhead are of unitary construction. The bulkhead extends within a generally tubular cross-member which also forms a part of the assembly and is attached between the lateral supports and into contact with the interior of the tubular member. Forces exerted on the assembly are thus generally compressively applied to the bulkhead welds adding to the overall strength of the assembly.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A cross-support assembly adapted for use with heavy duty equipment such as earthworking vehicles and the like, comprising: a pair of generally parallel lateral supports;   a generally tubular cross-member attached between said supports;   a bracket extending laterally from a side of said cross-member; and   bulkhead means extending within said cross-member and positioned to extend from said bracket and into contact with that portion of the interior of said cross-member adjacent said bracket.   
     
     
       2. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said generally tubular cross-member comprises: a channel structure extending generally fully between said lateral supports;   a first channel section extending from a first of said lateral supports to a position intermediate said lateral supports;   a second channel section extending from a second of said lateral supports to adjacent but short of said position; and   means for affixing said structure to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       3. An assembly as in claim 2, wherein said bulkhead means passes between said first and second sections and including: means for affixing said bulkhead means to said portion of the interior of said member; and   means for affixing said bulkhead means to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       4. An assembly as in claim 3, wherein each of said affixing means comprise welds. 
     
     
       5. An assembly as in claim 4, including: pivot means supported by said bracket and having an axis generally parallel to said member.   
     
     
       6. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said bulkhead means and said bracket are a unitary structure. 
     
     
       7. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said lateral supports are aligned generally vertically and comprise lateral structural members of an earthworking vehicle. 
     
     
       8. An assembly as in claim 7, wherein said generally tubular cross-member comprises: a channel structure extending generally fully between said lateral supports;   a first channel section extending from a first of said lateral supports to a position intermediate said lateral supports;   a second channel section extending from a second of said lateral supports to adjacent but short of said position; and   means for affixing said structure to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       9. An assembly as in claim 8, wherein said bulkhead means passes between said first and second sections and including: means for affixing said bulkhead means to said portion of the interior of said member; and   means for affixing said bulkhead means to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       10. An assembly as in claim 8, wherein each of said affixing means comprise welds. 
     
     
       11. An assembly as in claim 10, including: pivot means supported by said bracket and having an axis generally parallel to said member.   
     
     
       12. An assembly as in claim 1, including: pivot means supported by said bracket and having an axis generally parallel to said member.   
     
     
       13. An assembly as in claim 12, wherein said generally tubular cross-member comprises: a channel structure extending generally fully between said lateral supports;   a first channel section extending from a first of said lateral supports to a position intermediate said lateral supports;   a second channel section extending from a second of said lateral supports to adjacent but short of said position; and   means for affixing said structure to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       14. An assembly as in claim 13, wherein said bulkhead means passes between said first and second sections and including: means for affixing said bulkhead means to said portion of the interior of said member; and   means for affixing said bulkhead means to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       15. An assembly as in claim 12, wherein said lateral supports are aligned generally vertically and comprise loader arms of a front loader having a bucket forward of said generally tubular member and including: bucket tilt lever means pivotally affixed to said pivot means; and   motor means for pivoting said tilt lever means about said pivot means.   
     
     
       16. An assembly as in claim 15, wherein said generally tubular cross-member comprises: a channel structure extending generally fully between said lateral supports;   a first channel section extending from a first of said lateral supports to a position intermediate said lateral supports;   a second channel section extending from a second of said lateral supports to adjacent but short of said position; and   means for affixing said structure to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       17. An assembly as in claim 16, wherein said bulkhead means passes between said first and second sections and including: means for affixing said bulkhead means to said portion of the interior of said member; and   means for affixing said bulkhead means to said first and second sections.   
     
     
       18. An assembly as in claim 17, wherein each of said affixing means comprise welds. 
     
     
       19. A cross-support assembly adapted for use with heavy duty equipment such as earthworking vehicles and the like, comprising: a pair of generally parallel lateral supports;   a generally tubular member attached between said supports;   a pair of brackets, each extending laterally from a side of said cross-member to a generally coaxial pivot location having a pivot axis generally parallel to said tubular member; and   a pair of bulkhead means, one positioned to extend from each bracket within said member and into contact with that portion of the interior of said cross-member adjacent each of said brackets.   
     
     
       20. An assembly as in claim 19, wherein said generally tubular cross-member comprises: a channel structure extending generally fully between said lateral supports;   a first channel section extending from a first of said lateral supports to a first of said bulkhead means;   a second channel section extending from a second of said lateral supports to a second of said bulkhead means;   an intermediate channel section extending from said first to said second bulkhead means; and   means for affixing said structure to said first, second and intermediate sections.   
     
     
       21. An assembly as in claim 20, including: means for affixing said first and second bulkhead means to said respective portions of said interior of said member;   means for affixing said first bulkhead means to said first and intermediate sections; and   means for affixing said second bulkhead means to said second and intermediate sections.   
     
     
       22. An assembly as in claim 21, wherein each of said affixing means comprise welds. 
     
     
       23. An assembly as in claim 22, wherein said lateral supports are aligned generally vertically and comprise lateral structural members of an earthworking vehicle. 
     
     
       24. An assembly as in claim 22, wherein said lateral supports are aligned generally vertically and comprise loader arms of a front loader having a bucket forward of said generally tubular member and including: bucket tilt lever means pivotally affixed to said pivot location; and   motor means for pivoting said tilt lever means about said pivot location.   
     
     
       25. An assembly as in claim 19, wherein each of said bulkhead means is a unitary structure with a respective one of said brackets. 
     
     
       26. A method for assembling a cross-support assembly of a type adapted for use with heavy duty equipment such as earthworking vehicles and the like, comprising affixing a channel structure to extend generally fully from a first to a second generally parallel lateral support;   affixing a bulkhead portion of a bulkhead-bracket structure to the concave structure of said channel structure with a bracket portion of said bulkhead-bracket structure extending laterally from said channel structure;   affixing a first channel section to said first lateral support, said channel structure and a first side of said bulkhead-bracket structure; and   affixing a second channel section to said second lateral support, said channel structure and a second side of said bulkhead-bracket structure.   
     
     
       27. A method as in claim 26, wherein each of said affixing steps comprise welding.